Just to put this into context. I was offered a new role with a promotion. I declined on the basis that I didn’t feel that I could do justice to the role and rank that went with it. However, my recommendation for someone who took on the task ( and credit to for taking it on) was accepted and they proved to be a good choice. 
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That’s awesome.
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I honestly don’t believe anyone cares whether it’s acting or substative. The only clowns I have come across who have said the immortal line “well you’re only a Fg Off really” were other RAFAC staff, generally of a lower rank than Fg Off so it was completely immaterial.
I don’t have a problem with reverting to a lower rank on change of role, however I would like there to a change made that in “best uniform” - No1s and No5s - we can retain the highest rank earned unless demoted for “administrative” purposes. On 2s and 3s just wear the current rank. It makes very little difference operationally anyway.
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What you could do (except 1s & 5s) is that you wear the rank appropriate situation.
You are attending an activity in the capacity of a Sqn Cdr, wear flt lt.
On a course as a student & no cadets there - wear Fg Off.
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That just gets silly though - constantly changing rank slides. Would a WO wear Sgt if they were going on a course?
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Not to mention the thought of giving even more money to Rip Off Direct for multiple sets of rankslides makes me physically sick
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Especially since the recent change where they are now charging £2.95 for a single Plt Off to Gp Capt slide, or an eye watering £3.95 for a single Acting Pilot Officer slide 
I might even argue, if I’m on a course and there are no cadets there, and there isn’t a requirement for uniform, why not run the course in civvies? First aid courses for example.
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I was just about to say - I find the most effective solution to this problem is simply not wearing uniform and using the money for a nice pair of sunnies instead 
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Spoken like a true AT’er
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From a parent service perspective, I currently hold acting rank.
I’ve got the rank as the job I’m in is graded as a SNCO role.
I have to pay mess bills as despite being acting, I now hold the rank of sergeant and have to pay mess bills, but I am obviously entitled to the privileges of the rank whilst in post.
I’m currently holding the rank until August where the need will be reviewed and I will either continue to hold AHR or relinquish the rank and go back down to Corporal.
Whilst I’m AHR I’m being asked to do trade work on exercise as the SNCO Av trade.
Nothing wrong with holding and then relinquishing when the role isn’t yours anymore, and this will probably happen to me at some point.
As far as uniform goes, most don’t rerank on AHR and change on coming off the PSLs.
Obviously, if I come off the board it will stay permanent, but I’m expecting to hand the role back in the future.
For us it’s much different - I have been holding an “acting” rank for over 15 years, so of course we re-rank etc. In fact, I’m currently “acting” 2 ranks about substantive. I imagine that would be very rare in the parent service, so it’s not really comparable.
We have one.
Only way this happened is due to them being promoted and then receiving a talent marker and yes promotion rec on their first sjar as a (promoted) but acting corporal prior to promotion courses.
So they were a sergeant on their corporal promotion course.
But maybe that’s why you have the lunacy? You have people who view AHR the same way it works for us, and as many things, it doesn’t translate.
I don’t even think officers can hold AHR in the same way.
I think for officers it tends to be other way - they are confirmed for promotion, but then have to wait till they are in the next post to “up-rank” - certianly the way I have seen it.
That sounds like a regular promotion to me 
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Yeah, that’s whatI mean. Generally for promotion we move into the position, then WAIT for a few months / a year to get the rank.
No… we don’t. As someone who has done this… it is not an inconsiderable cost to ask a volunteer to swallow out of their own pocket either!
Considering how long it takes to be promoted to the new acting rank on taking up an SME or as Squadron OC (over a year seems typical now) it doesn’t seem unreasonable to be able to retain that rank at the end of the ‘tour’.
As others have rightly said Fg Off is a training rank in the parent service, so it looks pretty odd to be a Fg Off when dealing with external stakeholders.
And of course CCF is different too!
I’m pretty sure one of my region SME’s is still waiting nearly 2 years after taking post
Yet the process is now pretty simple for the OC Wg / RC to compete with Volunteer Portal / Admin Portal.
Funny isn’t it how no OC Wings are not Wing Commanders…
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